Referrals
In order to be a guest at the Ronald McDonald House of Temple, a referral must be received from the hospital treating the family’s child. A social worker is the person who does this. The social work department will get parents connected with the social worker responsible for the child’s condition. Parents wanting to stay at our Ronald McDonald House should ask to speak to a social worker when they arrive at the hospital. Rules regarding times for phone calls and check ins apply.Referrals are accepted between 8 am and 9 pm and will be taken in advance, but must be confirmed the day before you arrive to check on availability of a room. In most cases, we accept referrals for only "immediate" family members (mother, father, guardian, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandmother or grandfather).
Potential guests must have a referral from the hospital where the patient is going to be treated. Referrals are as easy as a phone call to the House (254-770-0910) and can be done by a social worker, doctor, or nurse. Each family is asked to pay $10 per night, but no one is turned away because of an inability to pay. The fee may be waived or reduced if the family cannot afford to pay. Patients covered by Medicaid are asked to turn in the appropriate forms for House reimbursement.
When the House is fully occupied, guests already residing at the House will have priority over incoming guests. We will make every attempt to accommodate all guests. Any person under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Check-In/Out
Check-in is from 8 am to 9 pm, seven days a week. We ask that you please adhere to these times. Please try to take care of any business during these hours. We complete a registration form on guests when they arrive, and a tour of the House is given.
Check-out is from 8 am to 9 pm, seven days a week. When checking out, guests must check out with a staff member. The room should be clean and ready for the next guest. (Cleaning buckets can be found in all laundry rooms and at the front desk.) The key card must be turned in at the front office, as well as any other extra items checked out (i.e. rollaway beds, extra pillows). If the key card is lost, a $5 fee will be charged. If the remote is not returned, a $25 fee will be charged.
Services and Provisions
Scott and White provides a buffet-style dinner every Thursday evening. In addition, two fully stocked pantries are available for general use and perishable items such as milk, eggs, and juice have been contributed for the guests. Meals are prepared by volunteers on some nights during the week and snacks are always available. Be sure to check the bulletin board and kitchens for signs announcing when a meal will be provided. Feel free to write a thank-you note to the family or group who provided the meal and give it to a staff member to pass on.
The House offers 18 bedrooms with either twin or queen size beds. Each bedroom is connected to a personal bathroom. The rooms vary in size to accommodate all families. All rooms contain the appropriate bedding and towels. There are additional pull-outs in many rooms and roll-away beds are available. If you need personal toiletry items, see a staff member. We have a small supply of personal care items available for your use while you stay at the House.
We have two laundry facilities, each equipped with five washers and five dryers. We provide you with laundry detergent so that you may launder your own clothes, bed linens, and towels during your stay. Please be respectful of others when using the laundry room. Do not leave your clothes in the machines if you will not be able to finish your load within a reasonable amount of time. Extra towels and twin sheets can be found in the cabinets in the laundry room. guest room washing machines
Additional Services
Breast Milk Storage - A freezer is located in the large laundry room for guests to store expressed milk.
Van Rides - A van provides transportation to the hospital at six set times throughout the day. A van schedule is provided upon check-in.
Occupancy
No more than four people overnight in rooms 1 through 7, and no more than six in rooms 8-18. Only registered guests of the Ronald McDonald House may stay overnight. No one under the age of 18 may stay without direct parent or guardian supervision. Couples who are unmarried and wish to reside at the House may do so as long as they are both at least 18 and reside at the same residence.
Guests are asked to remember that everyone at the House is undergoing stressful times. Bedroom halls are 24-hour quiet areas, and noise should be kept to a minimum at all times. Televisions and radios should also be played at a low volume. Consideration for others is of the utmost importance.
Attire
Shirts, socks, and shoes/slippers are required at all times. Families are reminded that this is a “home”. The attire should be casual, but respectable at all times.
Visitors
Visitors of guests may stay from 8 am to 9 pm. We ask that visitors stay in the common areas.
Absence
Residents who need to be away from the House for more than 24 hours need to relinquish the room. Upon their return to Temple, they may be admitted back to the House if space permits. While staying, guests are allowed to leave without checking out for a period of 24 hours. Before leaving, the guests need to make House staff members aware of their plans.
Hospital Visits
Our guests are here so they can visit their hospitalized child(ren). If parents are not visiting their children at least once a day, they will be asked to leave.
Children
Children must be supervised at all times. This includes in the bedrooms, playrooms, dining areas and playground. Parents are responsible for their children’s adherence to all House rules.
Food
Food is only allowed in the kitchen or dining area of the House. Food may not be eaten or stored in the bedrooms. All perishable items may be stored labeled with guest’s name in the designated refrigerators. Non-perishable items may be stored in assigned room lockers outside each kitchen. Bottles and sippy cups are allowed in the rooms.
Pets
Pets are not allowed in the house or in the vehicles in the parking lot. Physician approved service animals may stay.
Smoking
The Ronald McDonald house of Temple is a tobacco-free facility. There are two designated smoking facilities—one in each parking lot. Smoking in the rooms or House will result in immediate expulsion from the House.
Phones
Incoming phone calls are allowed from 8am to 10pm. If there is a medical emergency, the call will be transferred regardless of time. To get an outside line, dial 9.
Alcohol, drugs, and weapons
No alcoholic beverages or drunkenness are allowed on the premises. No illegal drugs are allowed on the premises. No handguns allowed on the premises.
